Justin Theroux kidnaps his 'Highness'

Joins Danny McBride, James Franco in comedy

By Borys Kit

Aug 24, 2009, 11:00 PM ET

Justin Theroux has joined the cast as the villain of "Your Highness," a Universal comedy directed by David Gordon Green.

Theroux joins Danny McBride, James Franco, Natalie Portman and Zooey Deschanel in the film, which centers on an arrogant, lazy prince (McBride) who must complete a quest to save his father's kingdom. Theroux will play Leezar, an evil wizard with a bejeweled magical staff who kidnaps a princess (Deschanel).

The film, which is shooting in Ireland, was written by Ben Best and McBride, who also is producing. Scott Stuber is producing via his Stuber Prods., and Universal's Scott Bernstein and Dave Targan are overseeing the project.

"Highness" marks a return of sorts to acting for Theroux, who appeared in such TV shows as "Alias" and Six Feet Under" and movies including David Lynch's "Inland Empire." He made a career switch when he wrote, with Ben Stiller and Etan Cohen, last year's "Tropic Thunder" and went on to work on "Iron Man 2."

Theroux is repped by UTA and 3 Arts Entertainment.

Justin Theroux kidnaps his 'Highness'

Joins Danny McBride, James Franco in comedy

By Borys Kit

Aug 24, 2009, 11:00 PM ET